Arizona's big 4th quarter sends Utah to its first losing season since '02

SALT LAKE CITY -- Ka'Deem Carey rushed for 204 yards and Arizona scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter as the Wildcats defeated Utah 34-24 Saturday and guaranteed the Utes their first losing season since 2002.

Utah (4-7, 2-6 Pac-12) took a 24-17 on Travis Wilson's 36-yard touchdown pass to DeVonte Christopher late in the third quarter, but the Wildcats answered with touchdowns 3 minutes apart early in the fourth.

He was stopped on third and 1 at the 4, but a hands-to-the face penalty against Star Lotulelei gave Arizona a first down at the 2. A missed tackle by Nate Fakahafua allowed Jenkins to bounce outside and score on the next play.

Arizona's much-maligned defense then held, forcing a punt. But Utah's coaches called for the fake.

The teams combined for 929 yards of offense. While Utah held a 10-minute advantage in time of possession, mistakes hurt the Utes, who will see their string of nine straight bowl appearances end.

Last week, Carey rushed for five touchdowns and 366 yards to shatter school and conference rushing records.

He found it tougher against the Utes, but he still had 110 yards on 14 carries at halftime.

The Utes hoped their final home game for 25 seniors would provide the inspiration they needed to beat Arizona.

But the Wildcats scored two touchdowns less than 90 seconds apart in the second quarter to take a 17-7 lead.

Carey's 1-yard run capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive and gave the Wildcats a 10-7 lead.

Wilson fumbled on Utah's next play from scrimmage as the ball slipped out of his hand as he dropped back to pass.

Five plays later, Scott practically walked into the end zone from 10 yards out. Utah had only 10 men on the field on the play as safety Brian Blechen was force to leave because of a problem with his helmet.

Utah answered with a nine-play, 70-yard drive, with Wilson's 34-yard TD pass to Jake Murphy pulling the Utes within 17-14.

Coleman Petersen tied it at 17-all midway through the third on a 24-yard field goal.

Both teams blew scoring opportunities.

Utah's first two drives ended on failed fourth-down conversions, the second on fourth and 1 at the Arizona 4 as White was tackled for a 1-yard loss, six plays after Carey fumbled at his own 28-yard-line.

Arizona was driving late in the second quarter and had a first and goal at the Utah 7, but Scott fumbled the handoff, and Nate Fakahafua recovered with 33 seconds left in the half.

Going against the Pac-12's worst pass defense, Wilson had more yards passing in the first quarter (62) than he had in the entire game against Washington (55).

He also was much sharper, completing 11 of 15 passes for 133 in the first half and 28 of 40 overall.

Utah got on the board on a fake field goal. Holder Sellwood flipped the ball to place-kicker Coleman Petersen, who picked up a key block from Jake Murphy to get around right end for a 7-3 lead with 12:10 left in the second quarter.